Easter lunch diners who want to taste the seeds
If you’re looking for a satisfying crunch from seeds in your lunch bread, check the ingredients rather than relying on the bread’s name. SOMA bread lists sunflower seeds and linseed in its Waldkorn.
Who is this for?
Shoppers comparing nutritional values
If wholegrains, fibre and salt are guiding your choice, compare the nutritional information for the specific breads per 100 g. A description such as ‘multigrain’ won’t tell you these values.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the bread you choose. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye contains gluten; adding seeds doesn’t make rye bread gluten-free.
What should you look for when choosing?
For Easter lunch, first decide whether seeds are essential or whether the rye base and nutritional values matter more. That way, you can compare breads based on the features that make a difference to your lunch.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds and texture | Look for specific seeds in the ingredients list, such as sunflower seeds or linseed. ‘Multigrain’ on its own doesn’t confirm that they’re included. | If you want the crunch of seeds in your Easter lunch bread, check that they’re listed in the ingredients. For around 45% of consumers, having seeds is the top priority. |
| Wholegrains, fibre and salt | Check which grains are listed and compare both fibre and salt on the same basis, preferably per 100 g. | If you want to weigh up different breads by their nutritional value, comparable figures are more useful than the product name. For around 33% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including if you need to watch out for seeds or nuts. Rye contains gluten. | If certain ingredients aren’t suitable for you, you need to know exactly what’s in the bread before serving it. This is the main concern for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘contains seeds’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to different types of grain. The name doesn’t tell you which seeds are in the bread.
If you want seeds for their texture, check that they’re listed in the ingredients before choosing.
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Comparing fibre but overlooking salt
A value per slice can’t be directly compared with a value per 100 g. This can lead you to misjudge the differences between breads.
Compare the nutritional information on the same basis, and check both fibre and salt.
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Assuming rye is a gluten-free grain
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye contains gluten. Adding extra seeds doesn’t change that.
If you have coeliac disease, rye bread isn’t a gluten-free option. Check the gluten-free label and ingredients list when choosing an alternative.
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Opening more bread than you need
Once opened, a loaf can dry out or go mouldy before you’ve finished it.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and freeze any bread you won’t need straight away in portions.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has a product page for SOMA Waldkorn rye bread.
- A useful place to start if you specifically want to compare Waldkorn.
- Before choosing, check the ingredients and nutritional values on the packaging available.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists products including Tarwe Roggebrood Mehrkorn 500 g and Tarwe Roggebrood Oberländer 500 g.
- The different varieties give you products to compare side by side.
- Don’t assume ‘Mehrkorn’ tells you which seeds are included; check the ingredients list.
Lidl
Lidl offers rye bread in wholemeal and Westphalian varieties, both weighing 500 g.
- The two varieties give you a starting point for comparing rye breads.
- If seeds are important for your Easter lunch, check the packaging of the variety you choose to see if it contains them.
ALDI
ALDI lists rye bread and also describes its multigrain bread as containing grains and seeds.
- The multigrain bread is worth considering if seeds matter more to you than a rye base.
- Don’t treat the multigrain bread and rye bread as the same product; check the ingredients of the one you choose.
PLUS
PLUS lists products including SOMA Schwarzbrot rye bread and wheat and rye bread varieties.
- You can use its different rye varieties as a starting point for comparison.
- Check the ingredients list for each variety to see whether it includes the seeds you’re looking for.
Dirk
Dirk’s bread range includes Bolletje rye bread and SOMA Waldkorn wheat and rye bread.
- These products let you compare a standard rye bread with Waldkorn.
- Use the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific product to make your final choice.
Rye bread on Joybuy
This rye bread is most relevant if you’re looking for a rye base for Easter lunch and seeds aren’t essential. When choosing, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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TastyBasics rye bread – 9 pieces
Worth considering if you want rye bread and seeds aren’t essential. For Easter lunch, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘multigrain’ mean the bread contains seeds?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t tell you which seeds it contains. Check the ingredients list if seeds are essential for the texture you want.
Is seeded rye bread gluten-free?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye contains gluten; adding seeds doesn’t change that. Rye bread is therefore not a gluten-free option if you have coeliac disease.
How do I compare the nutritional value of two breads?
Compare the fibre and salt values per 100 g for the specific products. Don’t compare a value per slice directly with one per 100 g, as portion sizes may differ.
Does all Dutch rye bread contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the type of bread alone. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bread through the use of baker’s salt. Check the product information if the type of salt used matters to you.
How can I keep some bread for after Easter lunch?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and freeze any portions you won’t use, if needed. For lunch, take only as much out of the freezer as you plan to eat.